JR Smith on Cavs' struggles: "We're making Bron play hero ball"

JR Smith on Cavs' struggles: "We're making Bron play hero ball"

JR Smith acknowledged the Cavaliers can’t rely on LeBron to be Superman every night, but admitted the team has put too much of a burden on James so far this series. “We’re making Bron play hero ball, which is tough to do, especially in the Eastern Conference Finals,” Smith said. “We got to help him.”

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Smith continued, saying that it’s up to Cleveland’s role players to earn LeBron’s trust. “We have to give him an opportunity to make him feel confident to give us the ball so we can make the right plays. We got to help him and he’s got to help us.”

If LeBron’s confidence in Smith has wavered, it’d be understandable. Smith is averaging two points per game and shooting 12 percent from the field so far in the Eastern Conference Finals, including 0-for-7 from 3-point range. Not a performance worthy of his “Swish” nickname.

JR’s cold shooting may force Tyronn Lue to shake up the Cavs starting lineup for the second time in three games. Smith noted that the Cavs aren’t able to rely on past triumphs as experience to get through their current struggles, and that lack of team experience may be why Lue continues to rely on him.